It’s almost official: Ellis Hobbs did not commit pass-interference on Reggie Wayne

One of the many plays big and small that contributed to the outcome in the AFC Championship game between New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts was a pass-intereference call on Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs in the deep right corner of New England’s end zone. Hobbs was flagged when he jumped, turned towards Wayne, and was hit in the back by the ball. No contact was made on the play.

Patriots.com writes:

“Face-guarding,” said CBS analyst and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms during the replay. “Ellis Hobbs jumps up, just tries to get in the way of Reggie Wayne. Does not see the football. Does not play it. Easy call.”

Not so, according to replay official Dean Blandino, who joined Bob Boylston in the booth that day.

In a recent posting by Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com senior editor, Ketchman responded to a fan’s posting about the play, writing, “You are absolutely correct. Face-guarding was discontinued several years ago and I completely missed it.”

Apparently, Ketchman had already responded to questions about the play, attributing the call to face-guarding just like Simms and countless fans across the nation who tuned in to watch the most viewed AFC Championship game in over 20 years.
There is no NFL rule against face-guarding.

“I talked to Dean Blandino in the league office and he confirmed what you’re saying,” wrote Ketchman. “Ellis Hobbs should not have been flagged for pass-interference. He didn’t make contact with the receiver and in no way did Hobbs impede Reggie Wayne’s ability to catch the pass. Blandino confirmed that the incorrect call was made

It should be noted that WEEI’s mid-day host Michael Holley was one of the few Boston-areas sports journalists who defended the officials’ rather obviously botched call. I don’t why he did that considering that he’s one of the best football-heads in Massachusetts, but he did.

By the way, Colts fans, I’m not blaming the loss on the bad call. The Colts were better, but they did as a matter of fact benefit from the call.

Update: The NFL, which virtually always defends calls, no matter how bad they are, is insisting it was pass interference, because Hobbs supposedly made contact with Wayne. Writes The Boston Globe:

NFL vice president of communications Greg Aiello clarified remarks regarding the pass interference call against Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs in the third quarter of the AFC Championship game.

…

Aiello said the penalty was the correct call because there was contact made by Hobbs.

There was no contact.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 28th, 2007 in Football. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.